Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Hyundai Motor on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious “2030 Vision” strategy at its investor event, laying out a broad product roadmap that spans pickups, high-performance vehicles, hybrids, and range-extended electric vehicles (EVs). The plan underscores the automaker’s bet on electrification and diversification as it targets global sales of 5.55 million vehicles by the end of the decade. In North America, Hyundai will enter the lucrative mid-size pickup market by 2030 with its first body-on-frame truck, positioning it against rivals such as General Motors’ Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, Ford Motor’s Ranger, Toyota’s Tacoma, Nissan’s Frontier, and Stellantis’ upcoming Ram Dakota. Hyundai…

Scania, the Swedish subsidiary of Volkswagen’s Traton Group, has unveiled a new plug-in hybrid powertrain for buses and coaches, expanding its ‘Scania Super’ platform beyond trucks. The move offers operators an alternative to fully electric buses, which remain more expensive than diesel models and less suited to long-distance travel. The Scania Super is a 13-litre engine with output between 343 kW and 418 kW, now available in both combustion and plug-in hybrid configurations for passenger transport. The PHEV version integrates a 290 kW electric motor with a six-speed powershift transmission and provides up to 80 kilometres of electric-only driving. Scania…

Lucid has launched a new software update for its Gravity SUV, adding towing functions and system improvements while giving some buyers early access to features still under development. The over-the-air Gravity UX 3.3 update introduces Integrated Trailer Brake Control, Hitch View, and a Trailer Light Check. Hitch View allows drivers to monitor the trailer hitch on the vehicle’s screen, while the light check feature cycles through trailer lights to confirm they are functioning, accessible via Lucid’s mobile app. Lucid is also allowing Gravity drivers to test two security features, Live View and Drive Recorder, as part of its Halo Secure…

Farasis Energy, backed by Mercedes-Benz, disclosed new details about its solid-state battery program, confirming progress toward pilot production and small-batch deliveries for strategic partners, according to a company filing and reports by IT-Home. During an investor relations meeting on September 15, Farasis said it is accelerating research, pilot production, and industrialisation of sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries. The company’s first-generation solid-state cells, combining high-nickel ternary cathodes with high-silicon anodes, have moved beyond laboratory testing and are entering pilot production. Construction of a 0.2 GWh pilot line is underway, with initial product delivery planned by the end of 2025. The cells are designed…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Tuesday it has opened an investigation into about 174,000 Tesla Model Y vehicles from the 2021 model year after reports that their electronic door handles can fail, leaving occupants trapped inside. The automotive regulator said it has received nine reports of parents being locked out of their vehicles when attempting to place or retrieve children from the back seat. “The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received nine Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting an inability to open doors on Model Year (MY) 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles,” NHTSA said. “The…

Nio has begun shipping its third-generation ES8 electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to delivery centers in China ahead of the model’s official launch scheduled for September 20, the company said. The new ES8, Nio’s flagship SUV, will start customer deliveries immediately following the sales launch. The entry-level version is priced at 308,800 yuan (43,340 USD) when purchased with the Battery-as-a-Service option. Full pricing ranges from 416,800 to 456,000 yuan (58,500 – 64,110 USD). See also: Nio Opens Configurator For Third-Generation ES8 SUV Ahead Of Official Launch Photos released by Nio show ES8 vehicles in black, blue, and beige being loaded…

Arcfox, the electric vehicle (EV) unit of Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), has officially launched the T1 compact SUV, entering China’s budget EV segment with one of the lowest starting prices on the market. The T1 debuted on Wednesday with a starting price of RMB 62,800 ($8,820). Arcfox is offering five variants priced between RMB 62,800 and RMB 87,800. The five-seat model measures 4,337 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width and 1,572 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,770 mm. The launch generated strong initial demand, with Arcfox reporting 26,558 firm orders within 12 hours. The T1 is…

General Motors CEO Mary Barra reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transitioning to an all-electric lineup, while acknowledging the complex trade-offs involved in the shift during a discussion at the Automotive News Congress. Barra described GM’s “agility and resiliency” in decision-making as the company navigates tariffs, manufacturing constraints, and evolving market demand. She emphasized that the ultimate objective remains to make GM an all-electric automaker, saying, “From an EV perspective, that is still our North Star.” See also: General Motors Signs Multi-Year Deal With Noveon for U.S.-Made Rare Earth Magnets The timeline for GM’s full EV transition has been fluid. The…

U.S. electric vehicle maker Rivian is testing its 2025.34 software update internally and plans to roll out the release soon for both Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles, the company said, amid a separate recall affecting its R1S SUVs and R1T pickup trucks. The recall, announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Friday, covers 24,214 vehicles due to a software defect that may cause the hands-free Highway Assist system to misidentify lead vehicles. The issue affects vehicles running software prior to version 2025.18.30. Rivian said that in rare cases, the system could misclassify a situation at very…

Xpeng said it will recall 47,490 P7+ sedans produced between August 20, 2024, and April 27, 2025, citing a potential steering system fault. The recall, which starts September 15, is due to some vehicles experiencing “fluctuating steering sensor signals caused by poor contact in the power steering motor sensor wiring harness,” according to a notice posted on China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) website. The company added that the fault could trigger the steering malfunction warning light and lead to steering assist failure, posing a safety hazard. Xpeng said it will replace the steering assembly with an improved version…

Automobili Pininfarina said its B95, described as the world’s first all-electric hyper Barchetta, has been awarded the Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2025, adding to the Italian luxury carmaker’s growing list of design honors. The B95’s recognition marks the second consecutive year the company has secured the award, following the PURA Vision concept’s win in 2024. The jury, made up of international design experts, praised the B95 for its blend of classic open-top styling and modern electric performance. “This car embodies our vision for the future of luxury and performance, where timeless design meets cutting-edge innovation,” said Dave Amantea, Chief…

Opel presented its latest electric vehicle models at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, including the high-performance Mokka GSE and the Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept. The company highlighted its plans for a performance-focused electric lineup and integration of digital experiences. Opel CEO Florian Huettl said, “We have reinvented Opel GSE for the electric age and are going ‘all in’. We are boosting performance and taking the electric driving experience to the next level.” The Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept delivers 588 kW (800 hp) of system output, 800 Nm of torque, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in…

Unplugged Performance said it has introduced the UP Forged CYBRNOVA, a premium wheel designed exclusively for Tesla’s Cybertruck, combining a supernova-inspired structure with forged aerospace-grade construction. The 24×9.5-inch wheel is made from forged 6061-T6 aluminum and features a load rating of 3,195 pounds (1,450 kg) per wheel. The company said the wheel is engineered for all Cybertruck trims, including the Cyberbeast, All-Wheel Drive and Long Range, and does not require spacers for installation. “With the CYBRNOVA, we wanted to create a design that captures the explosive energy of a supernova while providing the strength and fitment needed for the Cybertruck,”…

Polestar, the electric vehicle brand backed by Volvo, said it is prioritizing its upcoming Polestar 7 compact crossover and a second-generation Polestar 2 over the previously announced Polestar 6 roadster. The Polestar 6, originally confirmed as a production version of the O2 Roadster Concept, was expected to share its powertrain with the Polestar 5. However, the company is focusing on models it expects will achieve higher sales volumes. Polestar chief executive Michael Lohscheller told Autocar: “It will have all the Polestar DNA with the right driving characteristics, chassis tuning, and we will bring all these ideas together in a sustainable…

Mercedes-Benz said on Tuesday that a modified EQS electric sedan equipped with solid-state batteries traveled nearly 750 miles (1,205 km) on a single charge, marking a new milestone for long-range electric vehicles. The test, conducted on public roads from Stuttgart, Germany, to Malmö, Sweden, left the vehicle with an estimated 85 miles of range remaining. Mercedes said the solid-state battery increased usable energy by 25% while maintaining similar weight and size compared with standard EQS lithium-ion batteries. Markus Schäfer, Mercedes’ technology chief, described the development as “a true gamechanger for electric mobility,” emphasizing that the battery delivers both in laboratory…

Images circulating on Chinese social media revealed what appears to be Nio upcoming ES9 SUV, the company’s new flagship model expected to debut in 2026. Automotive bloggers on Weibo shared photos of a camouflaged vehicle parked next to the newly updated ES8, suggesting that the ES9 is larger in size. “This is Nio’s new flagship SUV, the ES9, one size larger than the ES8,” wrote blogger @二一加点电. Another blogger, @万万_ECC, said the ES9 carries the internal codename Draco and is larger than the third-generation ES8, codenamed Cetus. Nio will officially launch the third-generation ES8 at its annual Nio Day event…

Mercedes-Benz said on Monday it will roll out a fully integrated service for bidirectional charging from 2026, enabling its next generation of electric vehicles to supply power back to homes or the grid in addition to charging. The new all-electric GLC will be the first model equipped with the feature, followed by the CLA series, with initial launches in Germany, France and the United Kingdom before expanding to other markets. The system, branded MB.CHARGE, combines charging hardware, energy tariffs and digital services in a single package. Mercedes-Benz said the service is designed to simplify energy management for customers and cut…

Uber  and Chinese autonomous vehicle startup Momenta said they will begin testing robotaxis in Munich, Germany in 2026, making it the first publicly announced city in continental Europe for either company’s autonomous driving program. The launch is part of a partnership first unveiled in May 2025 and positions Uber to compete in Europe’s growing robotaxi market. The pilot program in Munich will start with human safety operators onboard to oversee vehicle operations and intervene if necessary, Uber said. “Germany has shaped the global automotive industry for more than a century, and now Munich will help shape the future with autonomous…

Mercedes-Benz will unveil the all-electric version of its best-selling GLC SUV at the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich, positioning the model as a cornerstone of its transition to electric vehicles. The GLC Electric, displayed in hall B3 at the event, will be the first model to use Mercedes’ new MB.EA platform, designed specifically for electric cars rather than adapted from internal combustion models. The platform underpins what Mercedes describes as a “new face of the brand,” with a focus on consistent design language across its future lineup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34zBLhrEtu0 Equipped with an 800-volt architecture and silicon carbide inverters, the GLC…

Tesla is establishing a new European development centre in the Köpenick district of Berlin, marking a strategic expansion of its research and development operations in Germany. The site will focus on material research as well as vehicle and drive development, with plans that have been in consideration since the company first announced its Berlin Gigafactory. The new centre will occupy a renovated factory complex spanning approximately 20,000 square metres. According to Tesla executive Lars Moravy, who oversees the company’s development division, the location was chosen due to its “generous space, strong energy supply – and the location between Berlin and…